Genshin Impact: Strength Through Bonds

Seeing Ren remain silent, Yae Miko teased him with a playful smirk.

"Little one, did this news scare you?"

"If you're frightened, you can always confide in me~"

Ren didn't have the energy to guard himself against the sly fox.

Instead, he replied heavily, "I'm just thinking about the ramifications."

The malevolent will of an Archon, poisoning the land.

It could even bring forth a horrifying affliction known as the Curse of Tatarigami.

What a nightmare.

"Can't we ask the Shogun to intervene?"

Ren asked with a trace of hope lingering in his heart.

Yae Miko shook her head. "That won't work."

"The Shogun? Even I can't contact her right now."

Ren's heart sank. He had expected this answer.

Most likely, the next time she appeared...

...it would be to announce the Vision Hunt Decree.

Yet, as things stood, his influence was insignificant. There was nothing he could do.

"Don't worry, the Tenryou Commission will handle it."

Yae Miko's voice was languid, carrying a carefree tone.

Ren opened his mouth to retort.

The Tenryou Commission?

He knew all too well what they had done in his previous life.

But before he could speak, the fox woman waved him off, as if tired of the topic.

"Alright, little one, it's getting late."

"I won't keep you overnight. Unless..."

She leaned in mischievously. "You say something to change my mind."

With that playful remark, Yae Miko turned and began to leave, her alluring figure growing smaller in the distance.

Unable to hold back, Ren called out, "Guuji-sama, do you still trust them?"

Yae Miko paused mid-step, turning to glance at him.

Her violet eyes shimmered, a flicker of thunder dancing within.

Ren stood firm, not backing down.

If he wanted to alter the course of events, this was his one chance.

Even if he was facing a cunning and unreadable fox.

The silence between them grew heavy, dragging on for what felt like an eternity.

Then Yae Miko's lips curled into a meaningful smile.

"Little one, you've only just become one of mine..."

"And you're already badmouthing your former employer?"

Her enchanting figure approached once more, her laughter soft and melodious.

"Little one, are you trying to flatter me?"

Her warm breath grazed his neck, sending an electric tingle down his spine.

Yae Miko's expression was one of amusement, her delicate hand resting lightly on his shoulder.

Having the beguiling fox this close—who could possibly withstand it?

Ren's face stiffened, and he dared not move.

This damn woman, testing my resolve again.

"If it's you, perhaps I could..."

She let the sentence trail off, her tone tantalizingly ambiguous.

She clearly knew the art of leaving someone yearning for more.

Want to know?

Then amuse me first.

Ren took a deep breath, forcefully clearing his mind of distractions.

"Guuji-sama, do you think it's truly that simple?"

Yae Miko didn't respond immediately.

Ren organized his thoughts and pressed on.

"The seal couldn't have been broken so easily. Someone must be behind this."

Yae Miko's interest was piqued. "Go on."

"The release of the seal seems to bring only disaster, no benefit."

"But what if someone's goal is disaster?"

"For instance, to escalate conflicts between factions..."

Ren's eyes gleamed as he shared his conjectures.

"Interesting. Anything else?"

Yae Miko released Ren, crossing her arms as she pondered.

This little one... he's quite the find.

Far more entertaining than simply toying with someone.

Ren gave a wry smile. "I'm not sure."

He hesitated to say more, worried that crossing a certain line might lead to disaster.

"Hmm? Are you truly not sure~?"

"I'm truly not sure"

The fox woman's smile gradually faded.

"Little one, hiding things from me... You're quite bold."

"Guuji-sama must already have an idea."

Ren smiled, playing coy.

Who doesn't know how to act mysterious?

Yae Miko rolled her eyes at him, her gaze irresistibly seductive.

"Are you referring to... Watatsumi Island?"

"Your wisdom and beauty are unparalleled, Guuji-sama," Ren responded smoothly, throwing in a compliment.

Flattery was free, after all.

"It's just a remote island that doesn't worship the Electro Archon," Yae Miko remarked indifferently.

As the Raiden Shogun's retainer, she never paid much mind to Watatsumi Island.

The Shogun hadn't subdued the island solely due to her pact with the serpent god.

If anyone sought to incite war, they were deluding themselves.

But the next moment, her smile froze.

"Then what about the Vision Hunt Decree?"

Ren's words struck like a bolt of lightning, piercing through the haze.

"..."

Yae Miko rested her chin on her hand, pacing slowly.

His remark had awakened a chain of thoughts within her.

Piece by piece, the questions began to align.

The cool evening breeze grew sharper.

Yae Miko tilted her head upward, gazing at the Sacred Sakura.

It embodied the will of the first Raiden Shogun, who had once protected Inazuma.

Now, its branches quivered uneasily, as if signaling something ominous.

"In such tense times, any event could sway the Shogun's judgment."

Yae Miko turned her gaze to Ren, her expression tinged with approval.

"You're quite the surprising little one."

[Ding! Emotional Points from Yae Miko +1]

[+1, +1, +1...]

Ren lowered his head respectfully, maintaining his composure.

Did I just get a crit-hit?

"But alas, this Guuji is but a weak woman. I can't possibly stop her."

Ren's face twitched. A weak woman?

As long as you're happy, I guess.

Yae Miko, sensing his thoughts, suddenly shifted her gaze toward a particular direction.

"Then, Yashiro Commissioner, do you have any thoughts to share?"

Ren instinctively turned to look.

The current head of the Yashiro Commission could only be...

Kamisato Ayato.